Bentley’s first electric car, set to be released next year, is likely to feature some of the same design elements as the EXP 15 concept. The vehicle boasts a fastback roof design and sits higher off the ground. The front end has a bright grille and vertical LED headlights. The steering wheel and center panel have controls with fine gold knurling. The huge glass dashboard acts as a screen and may also show wood trim behind it. Bentley has a rich history that dates back more than one hundred years, and its high-class look exudes an air of “old money” status. But Bentley’s EXP 15 idea is for the future. It features a full-size model of the exterior and an interior design created using virtual reality. The electric EXP 15 shows Bentley’s plans for its soon-to-be-released first electric car. It also means that Bentley’s style will remain as luxurious and grand as ever, although some features may change as the car becomes more electric. Due to its design, the EXP 15 doesn’t fit any standard body type. It features a high stance reminiscent of an SUV and a fastback top that slopes downward. The design draws inspiration from the 1930 Bentley Speed Six Gurney Nutting Sportsman. The back of the EXP 15 features prominent bumps, and a strong line runs from the windshield to the bottom of the side windows. The EXP 15’s hood isn’t very long for a high-end luxury car because it’s electric. From the rear three-quarter view, the EXP 15 looks like an enlarged version of last year’s Jaguar Type 00 concept. An illuminated hexagonal grille, which is unusually tall for a Bentley, occupies most of the front end. The grille is split down the middle by a spine and is composed of several triangular parts that resemble the chrome crosshairs on a classic Bentley grille. The new Bentley logo is set into the grille, positioned above the famous Flying B hood ornament. EVs don’t need such big grilles to keep cool, but Bentley saw it as a chance to “make a digital work of art.” The almost robotic look of the grille is reflected in a lit vertical trim piece at the leading edge of the door. Vertical LED headlamps surround the grille. This part also has a vent that sends air along the side of the car. With two active roof scoops and an active rear diffuser, the EXP 15 presents a striking appearance. The thin taillights wrap around a body-colored strip featuring the Bentley logo. The EXP 15 has uneven doors, similar to those of the Hyundai Veloster. The passenger side features two doors, while the driver’s side has a single door. As there are only three seats inside, the person on the left can spread their legs out, and the driver can sit alone in the front. Bentley also plans to use the extra room for carrying small items or pets. The back seat on the passenger side can move forward and backward and turn 45 degrees to make getting in and out easier. There are two “wing-shaped” sections on the EXP 15’s dashboard. One goes around the steering wheel, and the other has a bunch of gauges in front of the passenger seat. If you remove the glass covering, you can see the wood veneer trim behind it, or you can view a digital interface. Behind the center panel lies a large dial, known by Bentley as the “Mechanical Marvel,” which is reminiscent of a vintage radial aircraft engine. The lit and adjustable glass parts that surround a Bentley logo can display information such as the charge level or the direction of travel. The interior is crafted from materials that appear luxurious, including wool cloth and 3D-printed metal trim. Fine gold knurling decorates both the center console and the steering wheel controls. The grille pattern is visible on the backlit panels on the doors and around the rear seats. The trunk can, however, be used as a stylish lunch table. There is a fridge to keep the champagne cool, two small couches to use as chairs, and a burning glass lamp to set the mood. The EXP 15’s Pallas Gold paint is another amazing trick. It utilizes a new, ultra-thin aluminum pigment that allows radar sensors to pass through it without compromising signal quality. This allows Bentley to hide bulky safety systems, such as the grille on the current Continental GT. Bentley says that the EXP 15 is not meant to be produced, but it does suggest that the idea demonstrates how they will design cars in the future. Some of its outer design can be seen in Bentley’s first electric car, which is expected to be unveiled next year and will likely resemble a typical small SUV.
